Analyzing Heritage Buildings

The first step in a methodical and effective approach to the identification and protection of a community's heritage buildings involves analysis and then assessment. The assessment process leads to the selection of a handful of buildings that most clearly and effectively define the many aspects and themes from a community's past, and do so through places that are at once significant, but also interesting and attractive.

The approaches used for building analysis and assessment were developed many decades ago, and in many countries, and so by now there is a fairly common set of criteria used to assess and determine significance. The basic criteria and the issues that are considered in an assessment focused by that criteria are noted here. In a real assessment process these criteria are often scored and a final numerical value is used to determine levels of significance.

Age

A building's age is an important gauge of its significance to a community. There is great popular appeal in recognizing our elders, human or physical. Four periods in local history can be used to grade buildings according to age:

The building was constructed during the first decade of settlement. In most areas of the province this will be 1870-1885, the pioneer era. In the north, where significant settlement accompanied mining discoveries, the time frames will have to be moved up, so that the pioneering era might be said to start in the 1920s

The building was constructed between 1880 and 1914. This will generally coincide with the period between the arrival of the railways and the outbreak of World War I. This period is often thought of as the "Golden Era" of Manitoba's history

The building was constructed between 1918 and 1939, the years after World War I and during the Great Depression

The building was constructed between 1940 and 1950, the post-World War II era.

Historical Symbolism

A site may be noteworthy because it is associated with some important local historical trends or themes. Sometimes the theme is most clearly connected to just one building: the importance of the railway would be connected to the local railway station for example (in that case the building is intimately associated with historical patterns of primary importance to the area).

Sometimes a theme is connected to a small number of buildings: the theme of spiritual life would be best connected to local churches for example. And in other cases a theme is reflected by a large number of buildings: the history of residential life will be expressed in any house that has been identified in the inventory. In this case it will be necessary to think carefully about how clearly or deeply the theme is expressed by that place. (It is important to note that this criteria should not be entangled with other issues and criteria noted here, like style, craftsmanship or integrity. The Historical Symbolism criteria only explores a building's connection to a theme.)

A good way to explore this question is by grouping buildings according to their connection to the historical periods of activity noted above (Pioneer, Establishment or Consolidation). Those houses with construction dates that put them earlier in the period will have greater claims for significance (they will be seen as important local expressions of new ways of living); those that appear later in the period will have lesser significance (they will be seen as places that merely reiterate that new way of living). Five criteria will help focus discussions.

The building is intimately associated with historical patterns of primary importance to the area.

The building is loosely associated with historical patterns of primary importance to the area. Or, the building is intimately associated with historical patterns of minor importance to the area.

The building is loosely associated with historical patterns of minor importance to the area.

The building offers little connection with important themes.

The building offers little connection with any themes.

Person or Group

People or groups of people can be divided into two groups historically: those who were representative of the era (a typical farmer for example) or those who can be considered special or important (the first farmer, a politician). Usually we are looking at people whose names would have been known at the time and would have generated respect.

On the other hand, they might have been widely recognized, but have been considered outlaws – rather than respected their names might have generated outrage. Whatever the case it will still be possible to discuss and evaluate the people associated with a building according to one of the following five categories

The person or group was of primary importance to the area and was intimately connected with the building (lived or worked there

The person or group was of primary importance to the area but was only loosely connected with the building (visited there). Or, the person or group was of secondary importance to the area but was nevertheless intimately connected with the building

The person or group was of secondary importance to the area but was only loosely connected with the building (visited there)

The building has little known connection with any significant person or group

The building has no connection with any significant person or group.

Architecture

Many heritage buildings were designed with some reference to an architectural style or tradition. Communities or groups should consult the guides on styles and traditions that are featured in the Collect the Facts/Guides and How-tos section of the website. Five levels of style purity are possible.

Compared with other local examples, the structure can be considered either one of the best of a style or tradition or as amongst the earliest examples of a style or tradition

Compared with other local examples, the structure can be considered as an above-average example of a style or tradition

Compared with other local examples, the structure is a representative example of the style or tradition

The structure has only minimal reference to a style or tradition

The structure has no reference to a style or tradition.

Physical Integrity

A building may be noteworthy because the exterior has suffered little alteration and retains most of its original materials and design features. The following five categories can be used to distinguish the best examples:

All original architectural elements survive (wall cladding, roofing, window and door details and minor details) and there have been no unsympathetic changes

Most original architectural elements survive (wall cladding, roofing, window and door details and other minor details) and there have been no unsympathetic changes

Many original architectural elements survive but there have been significant changes made, albeit of a sympathetic nature

Some original architectural elements survive but there have been significant changes made, albeit of a sympathetic nature

Some original architectural elements survive but there have been significant and unsympathetic changes made.